Filigree Tooling Leather

[Weezy]

Hey all! I have been trying to make a few belts, so far I have accoplished the feat of making two! They both look really great, but I'm having trouble with filigreeing the tooling leather. I have been trying to use an Xacto knife, which doesnt seem to be sharp enough. I also tried using ast raight edge blade, like a box cutter type of knife, but neither seem to work very well. If anyone has a suggestion on what I should you I would greatly appreciate it!I'm trying to put a colored leather behind the tooling, but it is just driving me crazy because I cannot figure out the best way to do it! Thanks McKotah

[King's X]

I learned from an ol timer that the small set of chip carving tools found at Hobby Lobby or Wood Craft works very good compared to what you have used. Wood craft has a "Flex-Cut" starter set that works good too, but the set at Hobby Lobby is only $4.99. They will need to be sharpened up and stropped before using, but you will save a lot of time and grief. I had to due my first of belts over after what you used did not work as you are finding out.

Good luck.

[leatheroo]

hi weezy....just finished a course with Peter Main...the scalpel is the way to go....he uses a scalpel for some skiving and filigree work...the scalpel can be bought from a pharmacy as well as the blades...peter uses Feather brand blades...use them and throw them away...

cheers

Edited August 29, 2009 by leatheroo

[ShirleyT]

We use scalpel holders made for us by Norm Lynds. Not only lovely, but affordable, durable and easy on the hand. Blades are inexpensive - great way to go for filigree and way better than Xacto type.

Email for Norm -Norm Lynds [sagerat2003@yahoo.com]

[ShirleyT]

Here's more complete contact info for Norm:

I have email for Norm Lynds as: sagerat2003@yahoo.com

Norm does lovely work and the scalpel holders were $20.00 when I ordered a few months ago. Address is : Norm Lynds, 14205 46th Ave. S.E., Snohomish, WA 98296

He is a member of PSLAC and can be found on/through their website as well.

Norm also made us a petal lifter and Dremel burnisher; equally excellent. He accepts PayPal at his email address.

[Weezy]

Wow! Thank you all for the replies! I havent been on in a few days, this semester of college hasbeen crazy once again! I'm going to start two filigree belts for a buddy of mine, so this helps so much! Thank you!

[Elton Joorisity]

Weezy, I do a lot of filligree in my shop and hardly use a knife. I have simply bought Craftool veiners in different sizes and ground them into curved chisels. I think I have 5 plus a straight carving chisel. Usually I only need a knife in the corners. I also use hole punches both oval and round where I can, ie. the scallops in petals and leaves. One day when I finish organising the new shop, I will post pics of the tools.

[JW custom leather]

What all tools do I need for filigree?! Glue etc

[Wishful]

Al Stohlmans Top 20 book has a good section on how to do filigree work

[JW custom leather]

What kind of leather would be good to use for the inlay? Chap leather ?

[impulse]

LHi Weezy. Ebay often has listed 20 different shaped filigree punches from China for around $30 per set. (Listed under "leathercraft" - sellers name is shanghaimagicbox4) I use scalpels for most of my cutting and shaping as they are about the sharpest tool available. They are cheap and come in straight, curved or hook shapes and can be stropped many times over before discarding. My head knife hardly gets used now. Regarding leather for inlay - I often use kangaroo as this comes in a wide variety of colors and, while thin is very strong. You can use textured leather ( eg snake skin, emu, crocodile) or even hair on hides (eg rabbit, calf, deer skin). It is preferable to use a thinner leather to filigree so that the inlay really stands out. ............Cheers, Lois